Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s intense drama about racial tensions starring Richard Widmark and Sidney Poitier makes its world Blu-ray debut and its first appearance on UK home video in a dual format edition from Masters of Cinema in June.

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4K restoration of King of Hearts in cinemas in June, on dual format in July

20 April 2018

Eureka Entertainment are to release King of Hearts [Le Roi de cœur], the 50th Anniversary 4K restoration of Philippe de Broca’s anti-war cult classic that defined a generation, for the first time in the UK in selected cinemas nationwide (UK & Ireland) from 8 June 2018 and as part of The Masters of Cinema Series in a definitive Dual Format (Blu-ray & DVD) edition on 16 July 2018, featuring a Limited Edition O-card slipcase [First Print Run only] at the RRP of £17.99.

A cult comic masterpiece from acclaimed director Philippe de Broca, King of Hearts was a flop upon initial release in France, but was a smash hit in the US, where it ended up running for five years straight.

During the latter part of World War I, Private Charles Plumpick (Alan Bates – Women in Love) is chosen to go into the French town of Marville and disconnect a bomb that the German army has planted. However, Charles is chased by some Germans and finds himself holed up at the local insane asylum, where the inmates are convinced that he is the "King of Hearts." Feeling obligated to help the inmates, Charles attempts to lead them out of town, but they are afraid to leave and frolic about the streets in gay costumes. Will Charles be able to deactivate the bomb in time and save his newfound friends?

Featuring a score by legendary film composer Georges Delerue and also starring Geneviève Bujold (Anne of the Thousand Days, Dead Ringers),King of Hearts is presented here from a gorgeous new 4K restoration making its debut both in UK cinemas and on home video as part of The Masters of Cinema Series, in a special Dual Format edition.

Dual Format features:

Limited Edition O-Card slipcase (first print run only)

Gorgeous 1080p presentation from the Cohen Media Group 4K restoration (with a progressive encode on the DVD)

Original LPCM mono audio

Optional English subtitles

Feature length audio commentary by film critic Wade Major

Geneviève Bujold on the making of King of Hearts – an interview with the Academy Award nominated actress from 2017

Interview with Pierre Lhomme – the cinematographer discusses working with Philippe de Broca, and the techniques used for filming King of Hearts

Interview with Michelle de Broca – Producer and ex-wife of director Philippe de Broca talks about working on King of Hearts

Eureka! trailer for the 2018 UK theatrical release of King of Hearts

A collector’s booklet featuring a new essay by Philip Kemp

Below is a trailer for the American release of the 4K restoration (our link to the Masters of the Cinema trailer didn't work):